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South Carolina auto loan calculator

Estimated monthly car payment in South Carolina

$425/mo

60 months at 7.54% APR · amount financed $21,199

State tax 5% on $25,000 (capped at $500)$500.00
Total sales tax$500.00
Dealer doc fee$699.00
Total interest$4,312.25
Total cost (price + tax + fees + interest)$40,511

No local vehicle tax in SC; state rate is the full tax. Source: SCDMV, Fees (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee).

Used car $20k New car $35k $50k truck + $15k trade $30k, 84 months

Loan breakdown

Vehicle price
$35,000
− Trade-in
$10,000
− Down payment
$5,000
+ Sales tax (full trade-in credit applied)
$500.00
+ Doc fee
$699.00
+ Title/registration
$0.00
= Amount financed
$21,199.00
Monthly payment
$425.19
Total of payments
$25,511.25
Total interest
$4,312.25

Tax is applied to the price minus any allowed trade-in credit; whether doc fees, rebates and add-ons are taxable varies by state and isn't modeled. Assumes the trade-in has no loan balance.

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South Carolina car loan, at a glance: state vehicle tax 5% (South Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax.) A $35,000 car with $5,000 down over 60 months at 7.54% APR is about $626/mo, financing $31,199 incl. $500 tax and the $699 doc fee.

Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of January 1, 2026. APR: Federal Reserve G.19, 60-month new car loan rate at commercial banks (FRED RIFLPBCIANM60NM), August 2026.

South Carolina car-buying taxes & fees

State vehicle taxSouth Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax. Confidence: medium.
5%
General state sales taxTax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of January 1, 2026. Local taxes may add.
6%
Trade-in tax creditBest-effort. Confidence: medium.
Allowed
Doc fee capNo doc-fee cap found in our best-effort check; many states require only disclosure.
None found
Title & registrationVaries by vehicle weight, value, age and county; not reliably sourced for every state, so enter your own estimate.
Editable

Sources & as-of dates

Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (as of January 1, 2026).
Vehicle-specific rates, trade-in rules and doc-fee caps: best-effort compilation from state DMV/revenue rules (Best-effort, checked October 12, 2026); e.g. Virginia DMV, Michigan Treasury Form 485, California CDTFA Regulation 1610.
Default APR: Federal Reserve G.19, 60-month new car loan rate at commercial banks (FRED RIFLPBCIANM60NM), 7.54% (August 2026). Data file: state-tax-rates.json.
Local vehicle tax (no local vehicle tax): SCDMV, Fees (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee) (retrieved October 12, 2026). South Carolina's 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (max $500) replaces sales tax on vehicles; no local tax. Data file: sc.json.

South Carolina mortgage calculator → · South Carolina car sales tax calculator · All states

FAQ

What is the car sales tax in South Carolina?

5% at the state level. South Carolina 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, capped at $500, instead of sales tax. Statewide general sales tax: 6% (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of January 1, 2026).

Does South Carolina give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?

Yes. South Carolina generally taxes the price minus your trade-in value. (Best-effort; verify with the state DMV or revenue department.)

Does South Carolina add county or city tax on a car?

No. South Carolina's 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (max $500) replaces sales tax on vehicles; no local tax. (SCDMV, Fees (Infrastructure Maintenance Fee)).

Does South Carolina cap dealer doc fees?

No doc-fee cap found in our best-effort check; many states require only disclosure. This calculator defaults to $699, editable.

What is the monthly payment on a $35,000 car in South Carolina?

With $5,000 down, no trade-in, the $699 doc fee, 5% state tax and 7.54% APR for 60 months, about $626 a month ($6,346 total interest). Local taxes and registration add to this.

Is this financial advice?

No. These are estimates, not financial advice.

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.